Gastroenteritis is a bowel infection which causes diarrhea and sometimes vomiting. Diarrhea is runny, watery bowel motions. The vomiting may settle quickly, but the diarrhea may last up to 10 days. Bouts of gastro can cause dehydration which can be dangerous for very young babies.
Symptoms of gastroenteritis in babies
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are the classic signs of a stomach bug. Your little one will probably have a decreased appetite, which is good because when the stomach is that upset, whatever goes in almost inevitably comes out. Kids who have a stomach bug may also have a low-grade fever, abdominal pain and muscle aches.
Tests for gastroenteritis in babies
Most of the time, the “stomach flu” is diagnosed based on baby’s symptoms. (Is he throwing up frequently? Having lots of loose, runny stools? He probably has a stomach bug -- especially if symptoms subside in a day or so.)
If your child’s symptoms aren’t improving and you take him in to the doctor, they may collect a stool sample, which can be sent to a lab to determine the cause of infection. A stool sample can be helpful in ruling out a bacterial or parasitic infection (which could cause similar
